A Guide to Cleaning Out and Organizing Your Garage

Is your garage a chaotic mess, overflowing with forgotten treasures and garden tools you’ve been promising yourself for years that you’ll start using but haven’t gotten out of the packaging? Don’t worry! With a bit of elbow grease and some strategic organization, you can transform your cluttered garage into a functional and tidy space. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you reclaim your garage and turn it into a well-organized oasis.

Step 1: Clear It Out

The first step to cleaning out your garage is to pull everything out and lay it in the driveway or another open space. This may seem daunting, but it’s essential for assessing what you have and creating a clean slate. As you empty out your garage, separate items into categories such as sports equipment, cleaning supplies, auto maintenance tools, and miscellaneous.

Don’t forget to get your trash bags and donation bins ready – as you’re emptying out your space, you may see obvious candidates for the dumpster. Speaking of: depending on the size of your garage, renting a dumpster may be a good idea.

Step 2: Evaluate and Declutter

Once you have everything out in the open, it’s time to go through and decide what’s a keeper. As you sort through your belongings, ask yourself some critical questions: 

Have I used this item in the last year? 

Is it in working condition? 

Is it something I can’t or don’t want to borrow or rent? 

If the answer to all three questions is yes, then the item is worth holding onto. Otherwise, be ruthless in discarding items that are broken, obsolete, or no longer serve a purpose. As you start clearing things out, you’ll start to see a clearer pattern in your remaining items. You may even know just how you want your garage to be arranged!

Step 3: Consider Storage Solutions

If you find yourself overwhelmed with belongings that you want to keep but don’t have space for, consider renting a storage unit. This can be a practical solution for storing seasonal decorations, sports equipment, yard tools, and other items that you don’t use frequently but still want to hold onto.

Step 4: Deep Clean

Don’t put everything back in the garage just yet! With your garage emptied and decluttered, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and give the space a deep clean. Start by cleaning the walls with a sponge mop and a solution of bleach or vinegar mixed with hot water to remove any mold or mildew. For stubborn motor oil stains, sprinkle cat litter over the affected areas, let it sit for a few hours, then sweep it up and scrub with dish soap. Don’t forget to clean cobwebs and dust from the ceiling with a broom or extended duster, and vacuum the floors to remove any dirt and debris.

Step 5: Organize and Arrange

Now that your garage is sparkling clean, it’s time to organize your belongings and arrange them in a way that maximizes space and accessibility. Install open shelving units for frequently used items, and use cabinets to store less-used items out of sight. Hang tools on a pegboard for easy access, and use wall hooks to hang larger items such as bicycles and ladders. Store smaller items in clear plastic bins so you can easily see and identify what’s inside.

With these steps, you can turn your cluttered garage into a well-organized space that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing. So roll up your sleeves, gather your cleaning supplies, and get ready to transform your garage into a haven of order and efficiency.